Appendicitis part 2

I realized while I was in Florida (I am back in New York now) that I am a horrible patient.    The doctors wanted me to take pain medication and I rarely did that.  Oral or through the IV.  I did walk after the surgery, but it was days before I could pass gas and even longer before I had a bowel movement.  I was naturally concerned, even though they said I was going to be ok.   The sticking point was the IV.  I think I was on a low dose of Morphine.  I know they gave that to me initially after the appendectomy.  I THINK that is what I was carrying around on the IV.  The staff showed me the Percocet and it was a day before I tried it.  I would take a shot of the pain med after I moved around.  The first few days after surgery are annoying when you try to get up or sit down.  You don't realize the muscles you casually use.  Other than that I was hard headed regarding the oral pain medicine.  To me the pain wasn't  excruciating.  I just wanted to be able to take a dump.